Celebrating the great Canadian game. Tracking the NHL, the Canadian teams and a lot more!

Saturday, May 04, 2013

IIHF 2013 World Hockey Championships

That other shinny tournament that from time to time captures the attention of North Americans is underway, featuring a two week run that will provide the IIHF with its world champion for 2013.

Co hosted by Sweden and Finland, the sixteen team tournament dropped the puck on competition on Friday. Canada holding a spot in Group B, the USA over in Group A, North America's representatives made up of a collection of minor leaguers, college players and a collection of pros from the eliminated teams from the NHL playoffs.

The usual airlift of players from eliminated first round teams most likely won't be taking place this season owing to the late nature of the NHL playoffs this year (though Minnesota and Vancouver appear to inclined maybe to offer up some talent judging by their early round action).

Most North Americans don't really pay attention to the World Championships until the late elimination rounds when placement towards the medal round is on the line. If the teams aren't in the running, then most likely few are turning on their televisions.

TSN of course is hoping that isn't the case, they're coverage of the Worlds gets underway on Saturday.